The Albany VAMC is looking to hire (1) Intermittent, Temporary (not to exceed 1 year) Nursing Assistant for our 10B Inpatient Mental Health Unit

Duties

The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs a range of patient care in a variety of settings. The Nursing Assistant performs care as delegated by a Registered Nurse to those patients on a behavioral health unit at the Albany Stratton VAMC. Performs work in assisting other medical personnel in the care or treatment of patients who have serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions. Assists nursing staff with the direct patient care. The duties of the Nursing Assistant include, but are not limited to- Participates in patients; admissions by establishing rapport and orienting the patient to the physical layout of the unit, hospital and unit rules/regulations, unit staff and patient rights Provides nursing care to patients of all ages and cultures and who are acutely, chronically, or seriously ill Provides input regarding patient care planning and implementation Offers constructive suggestions for improvement of patient care and encourages others to do the same Observes, reports and charts changes in patient's condition, attitudes, and complaints Institutes appropriate measure of intervention with patients during behavioral incidents Encourages the development of patient independence and assists with activities of daily living as appropriate Shares in responsibility for general ward orderliness and sanitation and care of equipment. Keeps immediate supervisor informed of supply shortages and defective equipment Actively participates in developing and maintaining a safe recovery-oriented environment for patients and staff Assumes responsibility for validating own observations and therapeutic patient interventions with professional team members Actively participates as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team Assists the Registered Nurse in the care and treatment of the patient Observe and reports to the charge nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes within scope of practice while awaiting assistance Assists the charge nurse with dressing changes and complex procedures Communicates to the Registered Nurse any concerns voiced by either the patient, family member or staff Communicates and coordinates with the Registered Nurse any time that a patient needs to go off the floor for other services within the hospital. The NA will transport patient to and from procedures as needed Utilizes all lifting equipment to the fullest capability to assist the patient in getting in and out of bed Educates and shows other staff how to use the equipment safely and effectively Work Schedule: Intermittent, to be discussed with the Nurse Manager Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education: One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant: Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above. GS-4 Nursing Assistant: Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR, Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 Nursing Assistant: Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below; OR, Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree; AND Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):1. Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.3. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Preferred Experience: Experience working with Psychiatric patients References: Nursing Assistant, VA HANDBOOK 5005/71, PART II, APPENDIX G46. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 35 lbs., carrying, 1 hour, heavy carrying, 35 pounds and over, pushing (4 hours), reaching over shoulder, both hands required, walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), kneeling, repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish colors.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Holly Kraeger
• Email: [email protected]